My Erasmus Experience in Athens, Greece. By Ana.

Why did you choose to go to Athens, Greece?

Because I have studied History and Archaeology and in that sense, the history of Greece was very attractive to me, in fact, it fascinated me.

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How long did your grant last? How much did you receive?

My grant lasted 9 months and the money that I received as help was scarce, to say the least. It did not even reach 300 euros a month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

The student lifestyle in Athens is very good. In general, Greek people are open and welcoming - always willing to help you. The young Greek university students are very active and high-spirited and you can feel this energy within the University.

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Would you recommend the city and University of Athens to other students?

Without a doubt, yes! Despite everything you hear on TV, Athens is a very beautiful city that offers a lot of cultural aspects and lots of things to do. It has important museums and a University of an equally-high standard which, sometimes can be a little disorganised, but it functions without any major problems. Although there are protests and strikes, it is the only way they have to fight, and I admire them for that.

How is the food of the country?

Amazing! Mediterranean food, olives, olive oil, the best I have ever tried! Every type of salad and of course, pitta bread!

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Was it hard to find accommodation in Athens?

In reality, no, although the time that I spent searching for one seemed like an eternity, but it was only due to the eagerness of finding one. The question is to view apartments and settle on one that is the most convenient for you, by area and price. The University will make you a list of all the apartments to rent, or another option is to look in the newspaper listings, or simply walk through the streets of the neighbourhood you like and respond to the announcements.

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

Athens is expensive. Things are expensive and their paychecks are less. Although, on the topic of transport, the monthly bus and metro is very cheap and only comes to about 20 euros a month. On the topic of food, buying food is expensive. Meat is expensive, a pack of four chicken wings could cost you 6 euros. But I also have to mention that the faculty dining room is free for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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How is your language? Did you go to any courses at the University?

The language was a little more complicated, although all of the Greeks spoke English, except the very oldest of them. It is recommended that you study the language as everything is written in Greek and as a way of adapting to the country better, don't go to Greece for a year only to speak English. The University offers courses for the entire academic year. If you can go with a basic knowledge of Greek, then great! I did not have that and at the start I felt a little lost, but I learnt the alphabet straight away and I felt much better already.

What is the most affordable way of getting to Athens from your city?

From Valencia, there are no flights to Athens. You have to go from Madrid or Barcelona. In my case, I found the departing flight with Vueling, a flight that left from Barcelona to Athens and I travelled to get this one. In reality, there is not a particularly affordable way to get to Greece, given that there are connecting flights between Valencia and Athens. Furthermore, Greece is about 4 hours away, so that's why the flights are expensive. Therefore, the solution is to look at the flights quite a lot before you want to go in order to get the best price. Don't fly home very often, just to get here, for Christmas and to get back.

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Where would you recommend to go out in Athens?

Gazi is known for its great nights out. It is where all the clubs and bars are in Athens, but there are also cool pubs and bars in Exargia, the most radical neighbourhood in Athens. Another area with a lot of possibilities is Thissio, although it is more for having a drink. There are also pubs that are quite good, or in Monastiraki, which is close to Thissio, it has the best bars for drinking "rakomelo" and going out afterwards.

And to eat in Athens? Can you tell us your favourite places?

For getting something to eat, my favourite place was Rosalia pub in Exargia. It was a typical Greek pub where you could eat like a Greek - it was not a restaurant for tourists, like all of the restaurants that plague Monastiraki... It was a restaurant where all the Greeks went and in fact, we actually only went there because some Greek friends told us to. That was my favourite without a doubt, that and anywhere where you could buy a pita bread, although the best ones were the ones I tried in Zoografou, the neighbourhood closest to the University.

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And for somewhere cultural to visit?

God... all of it! Athens is a museum in itself - all in the open air! The Pantheon can be seen from anywhere in the city, the Archaeological Museum of Athens is inescapable, the Lycabetos Hill (the highest hill in Athens), Filopapu where Socrates' prison is supposed to be located, Angora and the best preserved temple in the city - Hephaistos - and an infinity of other things. Outside of Athens, you should also travel to the islands, of course! Including Turkey, which is very cheap. Although, my best trip was to Argolis when we went to the old sporting area of Mycenae and the treasures of Atreus... Incredible!

Any advice you want to give for students going to Athens next year?

Go! If you can, don't think twice about it! It will be the best experience of your life, unique and a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There's never a day when I don't remember that year and Greece.

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